Widow of Flight 93 passenger tells group to choose hope (Lisa Beamer God is in control)

AP VIA NEWSDAY ^ | 11/10/2001 | AP

[TLBSHOW]

The widow of one of the passengers whose hijacked plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field on Sept. 11 said Saturday she was left with the choice of living with fear or hope, and chose hope.

Lisa Beamer of Cranbury, N.J., addressed a Women of Faith Conference on Saturday at Philadelphia's First Union Center.

[Diogenesis]

[OldFriend]

Am I the only one who thinks this woman needs to stay home with her children. They lost their daddy and now Mommy has caught the 'celebrity' syndrome!

[SarahW]

It's just you. She has a message of hope, and it will help HER (and so her family) and us to go on.

[Diogenesis]

Be patient and try to be understanding.

[Churchillspirit]

Comfort comes in many forms when you lose your spouse.

Give the lady a break.

[Guenevere]

I think (& hope) you're wrong on this one.

....It's her faith (& that of her husband's) that keeps her going......and she's trying to make a difference in her own way & shore up our .....nation.......the one her husband gave his life for.

...I truly believe she will know when it's time to quietly go home.

Please don't judge her by the standards of others.

[gridlock]

I would agree with you except that all of her appearances have been very productive and to-the-point. She hasn't done a lot of "look at me", but done more of "look at this". Just my opinion. I think she has been a class act, throughout. I think she and her husband were a good match.

[Betteboop]

Hi OF

I think you are off-base on this one. She has done no other "publicity stuff"--this was addressing a group with a religious theme. I think it is part of helping her heal--share your grief with a group of like minded people.

BB

[ladyinred]

She is honoring the memory of her husband and I think that is wonderful. Doing this is probably how she is coping, that and her faith. I think we all have to do what we think is best, and she has chosen to make sure we remember her late husband and the other heroes of flight 93!

[Askel5]

Guess it depends on whether or not "choosing hope" included making a donation to further the works of the fund she established in honor of her husband's heroism and -- by all accounts -- strong Christian faith.

[onyx]

I want to see and hear more from her, not less.

[Othniel]

My wife went to a Women of Faith conference awhile back. She said that it was great. She also said that the women speakers were women who knew each other, supported each other, and held each other accountable. The speakers at these things have included cancer survivors, women of criminals, criminals, women who have spent time in rehab/mental facilities, and regular mothers who look at things in a humorous light.

Mrs. Beamer's message needs to be spread. It puts a take on the 911 thing that you will never hear from the media: God is in control, and we need to hope in Him. This courageous woman is a testimony to not only a loving God, but of the relationship she had with her husband. She's had celebrity thrust upon her in a way I would never want it, but she appears to be handling it well. As for when the baby comes, her peers will be there to support her and tell her to take some time off. I wouldn't be surprised if she takes some time off, writes a book, and starts letting people know about Whom they can hope in again.

[Askel5]

I'm happy to hear that, actually. Sounds like a good group and I've no reason to believe Mrs. Beamer won't be a great Mom whether or not she plans on devoting the rest of her life to inspiring others with her hope and her husband's courage as based, both of them, in a profound trust in and love for God.

[copwife]

Do you have a problem with that?

[Tea.]

Lisa Beamer has been on a number of shows, programs, just as others have. She has a legit reason to be in the spot light. She carries a very wonderful message and I am sure she is home much more then she is away. I would much rather listen to her speak with dignity and courage, then to see any of the Clintons, Jesse Jackson or any person who is trying to find a way to blame Americans. Tea

[Askel5]

I have absolutely no problems whatsoever with Mrs. Beamer's making the most of her unique position to provide a message of hope and faith in God to others far less personally affected but still very much shaken by events of 9/11.

[OldFriend]

I still remember a TV show on the family of the Teacher in Space. The Dad was feeding the kids pizza and the little girl said.......I WANT MY MOMMY TO BE AT MY HOUSE.....

[Katya]

I find this young woman quite remarkable, she is very natural, beautiful and composed. Destiny, whether you believe it to be divine or self-determined is miraculous in the way it calls each person to their quest.

[Guenevere]

#18....OldFriend, I understand what you're saying.....but again, I don't think you will find similarities with those two women.

Our lady...Lisa....had the limelight thrust upon her in a tragic way.....

...the other, Christa, sought the limelight for whatever her reasons.

...I definitely see a difference in the message each woman is.....was...striving for.
...and I share your opinion concerning the quote from the little daughter.